Happy Birthday Aerilyn and Congratulations Gavin

Before I get way behind on my posts again here are a couple of events that Sarah has been up to this month.
Sarah was an invited guest to her first children's birthday party. Wes's cousin Tommy's little girl, Aerilyn turned four and had a princess birthday party. All the guests had to dress as princesses and Sarah was invited. We got her a blue princess dress, which she loved to put on and play in. I was actually worried that the dress wouldn't make the party. Once she had the dress on she usually broke out in a dance number and then ran around the house and climbed all over the couch.
Here is Sarah practice wearing of her princess dress - note the batting of the eyes.
Unfortunately the party was during Sarah's nap time so she was a little tired for her party but still would sit in the circle for the games. The games were a little advanced for Sarah but she still seemed to enjoy being part of the activities.


She even participated in the "pin the heart on the princess crown game" although she didn't want the blindfold on.After the games it was time for a nice snack.

Then it was dancing time - Sarah was a little tired so Pink Kitty did most of the dancing.
At the end of the party there was some time to play with some balloons which Sarah also enjoyed.
Happy Birthday Aerilyn - hope you had a wonderful day.

Now today was a busy day. After going to gym class and doing some shopping, Sarah, Mommy and Daddy went out for lunch. As you can see, Sarah approves of the newly opened Boston Pizza restaurant.
Then it was home for a quick nap - up and running Bear to his vet appointment where he had his yearly check-up and got a clean bill of health. Drop Bear off at home and now it was time to celebrate with Gavin - today he got his braces off and wanted to go out for dinner. Uncle Kevin, Auntie Heather and Gavin invited Sarah and Mommy to join in the celebration - Daddy missed out because he had to work. Thanks for a great meal and night out and Congratulations Gavin - what a Great Looking Smile.

Happy Halloween

It's taken a few days to make this post - very tired these days. Here are some pictures from Sarah's first Halloween. Since it was so close to her surgery and we had a small complication a couple of days after we got home that now seems to be clearing up, we didn't want to over do Halloween. Our neighbour who just adores Sarah came over in the morning and spoiled her with a treat bag which was full - Sarah emptied it - selected the small Aero bar - opened it ( didn't know she could do that) ate it and put the wrapper in the garbage while we were enjoying a cup of tea - too cute. Anyway, we took her over for the neighbour to see her in her costume after dinner and Sarah was selecting the colour of suckers she wanted. It didn't take her long to get the routine down.Sarah was not really into carving the pumpkin - Daddy opened it but he doesn't like to scoop so Sarah and Mommy scooped - well Sarah made it look good for the pictures but she didn't scoop - Mommy scooped.
Daddy did the carving and tried a new patter this year.
Sarah was willing to pose by the finished product - it seems that she approved of Daddy's handy work.
So it was off to trick or treating in the car - first stop - Uncle Greg's and Aunt Janice - Greg always has lots of interesting pumpkins - this year they were created by Rachael and Liam.

Then it was off to Grandma and Papa's house were Sarah was spoiled with a lovely basket full of treats.


Then Grandma took Sarah around the a couple of neighbours.


The last stop was Uncle Kevin and Auntie Heather's house. Sarah once again was spoiled with a huge loot bag which included a movie, socks, cars, cars book and of course smarties.


We also had to have a visit with Auntie Heather's neighbour who was all dressed up and had a special treat for Sarah - you guessed it - a large box of Smarties.
A visit at Uncle Kevin and Aunt Heathers is not complete without a visit with Stumpy.


Then it was time to take a tired Sarah home - have a nice bath and bed time.

After a good nights sleep it was up and straight into checking out the Halloween loot.

We're Home From the Hospital

We are all home safe and sound. This was a little longer stay than last time - but Sarah is doing very well. She came through the surgery well - her first night was a bit uncomfortable but the doctors increased her pain medication in the morning and she felt much better. Sarah seemed to have more post operative pain this time but the nurses and doctors worked very hard to keep it under control and as comfortable as possible. Our stay at Sick Kids was a bit longer than we had first thought but we felt better staying the extra time to make sure everything was going well. Sarah gave them a bit of trouble right after surgery - her heart rate and blood pressure was up more than they would have liked and she wasn't keeping her oxygen levels up to where everyone was happy. She was eventually sent to her room with oxygen but she didn't need it for very long. The staff at Sick Kids was wonderful again and they couldn't have been more thoughtful and helpful. They even wrote on the white board in Sarah's room "Welcome Back Sarah" - there were even a couple of staff members who remembered Sarah from August. Daddy took all but the first night shift and let Mommy have the hotel room at night. Daddy would go back to the hotel in the morning for his sleep. After the first night Sarah slept through the night but the nurses kept waking Daddy up and the hospital is very noisy with all the activity going on so Daddy didn't get much sleep but it was great that we had the hotel room for Daddy to get some extra sleep. Everyone is tired but glad to be home - Sarah is eating and drinking well although she is definitely weak and tires easily so we will be taking it slow for the next few days for sure.

Happy Thanksgiving

The entire family was able to make dinner yesterday at my Mom's house for Thanksgiving. The table was set beautifully.

We were all able to enjoy a nice visit before dinner.

Sarah, of course was able to remain the centre of attention the entire time.Gavin and Liam were busy playing on Grandma's computer and not too interested in getting their picture taken.

Auntie Janice has been busy knitting, sewing and crocheting all kinds of things, but she did bring over a couple of the cutest hats. Sarah didn't want to put them on but - always ready for a picture - once the camera was out - she was very willing to model a couple of hats.

I've put a link to Janice's new website - Janice made a beautiful crib quilt and matching bedding for Sarah for when she came home - so check out her site for some beautiful items.

Everyone had a great visit and Grandma made her usual very delicious dinner.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.

Next Surgery Date

We have our next surgery date - October 21st - at the Hospital for Sick Children. We are so pleased that it is coming up quickly. We have been having some frustrations with Sarah's post operative care and will be glad when this surgery is complete. Sarah has been a real trooper with all her post operative care. We all had to get use to the bag changes and then we started having problems with them leaking - but through it all Sarah has been great. Mommy and Daddy have been more upset with things than she has. Sarah has also tolerated all the doctor visits well. In the beginning she was very upset but the last one we had she was perfect and the doctor said she was her favourite patient. We are also grateful that the doctor does not need to see her now until the surgery - so no more weekly runs into Toronto. We were so happy with her care from the staff at Sick Kids with her first surgery that we are anticipating that everything will go smoothly again this time.

Bear

Thought it was time to do a post about the most patient dog - Bear. Bear is getting on in years even if Wes says he is still only 7 - he is actually more like 15 years old. He has been so good with Sarah - you just couldn't ask for better.

He has had to endure several physical exams - both by the vet and then by Sarah - this picture is Sarah using her stethoscope. She did witness an exam by the vet where he took Bears temperature - Wes caught her the next day with Bears tail in the air and a very panicked look on Bears face.

Bear has had to endure other doggie indignities, which he graciously accepted. There was the surprise appearance of the sticker - not quite sure how it got there - we are pretty sure Bear didn't request it - but it appeared none-the-less.Sarah has also taken to taking Bear for walks - this was a spontaneous event - one day I turned around in the kitchen and there she was with Bear by the choke chain - it seems to be a the perfect height for Sarah and Bear just quietly and patiently just let her lead him all over the house - although he does give us these looks that he would prefer not to go for these spontaneous walks inside the house - so we then suggest that Sarah play with something else.The walks Bear prefers are the outside walks and Sarah loves to take Bear on these as well - at least there is one activity that Bear and Sarah enjoy equally.Bear has always been a very gentle and obedient dog and we didn't really have any worries about Sarah's arrival with Bear - but we must say that Bear has surpassed anything we could have expected of him - he has been so good - with the steps on - toys dropped on him - dolly strollers run over his feet, blankets put on him and the not so gentle "pets". In all fairness - he would have been justified on a number of occasions to offer up some kind of warning to Sarah's roughness - but he has just been the ever so patient and gentle Bear. Everybody loves Bear.

Dinner in Mississauga

Last night Grandma, Mommy and Sarah were invited to Auntie Mandy and Auntie Meghan's house for dinner. We were introduced to the new addition to the household - little Oscar - he sure is a cutie. Sarah also hadn't met the other furry friends that are part of Auntie Mandy and Auntie Meghan's house. Sarah really liked Alara - who is actually Millie's Mommy. Alara is nice and quiet and didn't mind Sarah petting her.

Sarah was a little nervous of Shazam - he was just a little too interested in Sarah and got excited so unfortunately no picture with Shazam but we got one with everyone else.

Auntie Mandy and Auntie Meghan made a very tasty dinner - Sarah's favourite - spagetti for her - tortilini for the grown-ups - and Sarah's favourite desert - smarties - she wasn't as impressed with the ice cream but everyone else liked it. We did notice that there was not a smartie left in her bowl.

After dinner it was time to relax for a while and play with toys and the furry new friends.

Everyone had a great visit and Sarah had a wonderful time at Auntie Mandy and Auntie Meghan's house.

Fun Days

Yesterday, Auntie Lolo stopped by after Jazzercise to have lunch with Sarah - very yummy and fun time.

Today, Sarah had a play date with her new friend, Reese. Auntie Heather and Heather (our photographer) joined in the on play date. They had a wonderful time playing with Sarah's toys and for a special treat and we all went to Wendy's for lunch.

It was a very busy morning so after our Wendy's lunch it was time for much needed nap.


After dinner it was off to Uncle Kevin's house for a car seat check. Sarah also was able to visit with her cousin Gavin who introduced her to the new addition to the house hold - his Gecko - Stumpy who is just a baby. Sarah was a lot braver than Mommy. She was very curious about Stumpy.

Sarah even asked if she could hold Stumpy in her hand and then she did without hesitation.

Sarah even asked Mommy if she wanted to hold Stumpy - Mommy politely declined.